Colin Kaepernick partners with Saber Interactive for the ultimate arcade-sports experience featuring hundreds of pro football superstars and game-changing power-ups

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Oct. 10, 2023 – Saber Interactive, in partnership with Colin Kaepernick, the NFL Players Association, and OneTeam Partners, has released Wild Card Football, the newest installment in the bestselling Playgrounds arcade-sports franchise. Create your ultimate dream squad with an authentic roster of hundreds of pro football superstars, including Colin Kaepernick, Jalen Hurts, Patrick Mahomes, Justin Jefferson, T.J. Watt, Joey Bosa, Travis Kelce, Ja’Marr Chase, Aaron Donald and more. Take the field for extreme, pick-up-and-play, 7-on-7 action featuring over-the-top power-ups and rule-breaking abilities that can change the course of the game in an instant.

Kaepernick, whose professional football experience has been instrumental in shaping the game’s strategic as well as creative elements, expresses his excitement about this groundbreaking venture.

“You don’t want to miss out on Wild Card Football! We set out to create a game that took football to another level,” said Colin Kaepernick, who consulted on the title and appears both in-game as a playable character and on its cover art. “Players get to experience a merging of traditional football and out of this world power-ups. The unexpected twists, created by the power-ups, lead to new moves and new strategies. Wild Card Football is unlike anything I have ever seen or played before.”

Wild Card Football is available today on PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation®4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. There are three editions for fans to choose from:

• Standard Edition: Grab the full base game for $39.99
• Deluxe Edition: Get the base game, the Season Pass, the Blazing Bones Outfit, and 10 Card Packs, all for $59.99
• Ultimate Edition: Includes everything in the Deluxe Edition, plus 10 Legendary Outfits, all for $69.99

Featuring voiceover from legendary ESPN sportscaster Chris Berman, Wild Card Football flips the sport upside down with bombastic moves, game-changing Wild Card power-ups, and devastating Rule-Breakers to outplay your opponents when they least expect it! Make your player invisible, become a giant and steamroll into the endzone, or summon a fleet of UFOs to abduct a runner and send them back downfield. As you advance through events and challenges, you’ll unlock new players and cards to unleash on your unsuspecting rivals.

Rise to become the champion on your own in single-player Season mode, or dive into true gridiron competition against real players in local or online multiplayer with full crossplay between platforms. There are tons of ways to customize your team – mix and match your squad’s logos, uniforms, colors, stadium, playbooks and more to make your dynasty your own.

Key Features

• Create Your Dream Team: Choose from hundreds of genuine pro players, reimagined Playgrounds-style, and assemble the ultimate 7-on-7 gridiron squad. Advance through different challenges and events to unlock new players and other exciting rewards.
• Play Your Wild Cards: Unleash over 150 Wild Cards to turn the tide in your favor in an instant. Bust out special moves like summoning walls or invisibility, boost your stats at a crucial moment, or play a Rule-Breaker and flip the rules of the game completely.
• Become a Gridiron Champion: Prove your skills in single-player Season mode, climb to the top of the leaderboards in competitive online multiplayer with full crossplay, or challenge your friends at home for bragging rights in local multiplayer.
• Fully Customize Your Squad: Personalize your team’s logo, uniforms and colors, choose your home stadium, then build unique playbooks and Wild Card decks to perfect your strategies on the field.

For more information, visit PlaygroundsSports.com, and follow the latest updates on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

About Saber Interactive

An Embracer Group company headquartered in the U.S., Saber Interactive is a worldwide publisher and developer consisting of over 20 studios in the Americas and Europe. Creating games for all major platforms based on original and licensed IPs, Saber’s titles include Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando, World War Z, SnowRunner and Evil Dead: The Game. Founded in 2001, Saber is known for two decades of development partnerships with AAA publishers, producing The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt for Nintendo Switch, Halo: The Master Chief Collection, Crysis Remastered, and many others.

About the NFLPA

The National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) is the union for professional football players in the National Football League. Established in 1956, the NFLPA has a long history of assuring proper recognition and representation of players’ interests. The NFLPA has shown that it will do whatever is necessary to assure that the rights of players are protected—including ceasing to be a union, if necessary, as it did in 1989. In 1993, the NFLPA again was officially recognized as the union representing the players and negotiated a landmark Collective Bargaining Agreement with the NFL. The current CBA will govern the sport through the 2030 season. Learn more at www.nflpa.com.

About NFL Players Inc.

NFL Players Inc., the licensing and marketing arm of the NFLPA, connects businesses to the power of NFL players. NFL Players Inc. creates customized business solutions for partners, through licensing, marketing strategy and player activations. For more information, please visit nflpa.com/players-inc.

About OneTeam Partners

OneTeam Partners is a global sports licensing, marketing, media, and investment company representing the commercial interests of more than 10,000 players across various sports, including the NFLPA, MLBPA, MLSPA, U.S. Women’s National Team PA, WNBPA, NWSLPA, U.S. Rugby PA, and the LCSPA, as well as college athletes.

Wild Card Football © 2023. Published by Saber Interactive Inc. Developed by Saber Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. NFLPA and the NFLPA logo are trademarks of the National Football League Players Association. All rights reserved. Colin Kaepernick, Kaepernick are trademarks of Inked Flash, Inc. All rights reserved. All player likenesses used under license.

SRG Studios breaks into the PC space with Champion Shift Prologue.

San Juan, Puerto Rico, 10 October 2023 | In anticipation of their upcoming roguelike, Champion Shift, SRG Studios is excited to announce the release of their multiplayer prologue coming to Steam on Tuesday, November 7th. The prologue will feature three playable characters, an original soundtrack, and co-op compatibility for up to 4 players. 

Champion Shift introduces mythological warriors into the roguelike genre, combining legend and lore with fast-paced gameplay and challenging combat. Step into your role as champion to face off against the Dominion, a shadow corporation bent on world domination. Your quest begins as you face off against enemy forces, unleashing an arsenal of abilities at your disposal, including character-specific boons and effective multiplayer strategy. Ready for what’s next? Explore the prologue’s three maps–complete with day and night stages–as you battle your way through the Dominion’s lab in search of your champions. 

Begin your journey as Sun Wukong in Champion Shift’s story mode, or ally with your friends in the prologue’s multiplayer mode. Play as the supernatural Sun Wukong, the fabled Athena, or the devoted Gilgamesh, and combat the Dominion with your combined power. Take advantage of your champion’s unique gameplay mechanics, including their shifting ability, allowing them to switch between character and car with the press of a button. Looking for a quick getaway? Gearing up to race your friends? Champion Shift’s car mechanics will be ready in a pinch. As you play, unlock and upgrade new boons and skills to maximize your power potential. 

Features:

• Unlock globally iconic champions, including Sun Wukong, Athena, and Gilgamesh!
• Default auto attacks or optional manual aim for a customizable gameplay experience. 
• Challenging enemy encounters to test your playstyle and strategy, including boss battles.
• Shift between vehicle and champion, each with their own strengths and additional skills.
• Explore hundreds of celestial ability combinations to customize your perfect run.
• Play solo or co-op with up to 4 players.
• Original scores designed for each stage, including day and night variations.

Champion Shift is now available to wishlist on Steam, and the prologue will be released on Tuesday, November 7th, for single and co-op playability.

Want to keep up to date with all the latest Champion Shift news? Go to the official Champion Shift website, X (formerly known as Twitter), and YouTube for more.

About SRG Studios

SRG Studios was founded in 2013 with a focus on developing mobile games. Known for games like Jaws.io, Ink inc, Heroes Inc, and Sausage Wars – our games have been downloaded over 200 million times. The release of Champion Shift will mark our transition from mobile games developer to developing games for consoles and PC.

Explore, farm, craft and build your new life in this beautiful simulation sandbox RPG

Madrid, Spain – 10th October 2023. Publisher Meridiem Games is pleased to announce that the special boxed Paradise Edition of Spirit of the Island will launch on 23rd November 2023 for PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch. 

Developed by 1M Bits Horde and co-published by META Publishing and PID Games, Spirit of the Island is a beautiful Life Sim Sandbox RPG with cross-platform online co-op set on a tropical archipelago. Build your farm, grow crops and raise animals, craft items, cook exquisite dishes, gather resources, build shops and museums to attract visitors, and turn a desolate Island into a prosperous tourist destination!

Meridiem Games will be responsible for the creation, publishing and European distribution of the special boxed Spirit of the Island – Paradise Edition for PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch, which will include a special cover with new artwork, an exclusive set of stickers featuring some of the island’s inhabitants and a tour guide so you don’t miss any of the wonderful activities on your island.

There’s an old tradition running in your homeland: to become an adult and complete the coming-of-age ritual, you must go on a journey of discovery. Your adventure begins on a distant island deep in a tropical archipelago. What was once a prosperous tourist destination is now a shade of its former glory, and it’s your job to bring it back to life! Explore the archipelago, meet the locals, and lend them a hand to restore the tourist paradise… while you try to uncover the mysteries of your past!

Watch the trailer for Spirit of the Island below:

SETTLING IN A NEW PLACE – Your island life will be a busy one, so grab your tools and let’s get started! You’ll need a source of food, a place to sleep, and some resources to build a farm. it’s time to explore your lands!

A PLETHORA OF ACTIVITIES – No matter how you choose to spend your time, you will gain experience and improve your skills. Spirit of the Island features 10 unique skills, such as farming, mining, foraging, social, crafting, and even fishing, which comes as its own special mini-game. 

YOUR JOURNEY TO A TOURIST PARADISE – Make your island not only a welcoming home but also a booming tourist paradise. The more tourists you get, the better your economy will be, which is a crucial step to funding your journeys to the faraway Islands.

THE BEST TRIP EVER – Each tourist will have a chance to love your Island so much that they’ll decide to stay, adding to the Town’s population. This part is crucial since you can hire them to do various things for you, such as tending to your shops and helping you maintain the Island. 

THE POWER OF TWO – One of the main features of Spirit of the Island is a 2-player cross-platform cooperative mode, where you can do everything together! You will have all the single-player mode features (even quests) available in online play, and it will also feature its own unique adventure as well as Resource Sharing, meaning that you can bring some of the resources you find over to your own multiplayer campaign. 

VAST TROPICAL ARCHIPELAGO – Spirit of the Island features 14 unique explorable islands, each with its own fauna, secrets, and dangers. Information on who – or what – inhabits these islands has been lost to history, but you will find mysterious caves guarded by ancient creatures — are you brave enough to explore them and uncover the mysteries within?

THE LOCAL COMMUNITY – The archipelago is bustling with life! Meet more than 14 unique characters, each with their own distinct traits and quirks. 

AN EVENTFUL LIFE – One of the unique features of Spirit of the Island is events — a series of recurring occurrences happening through each in-game year (4 months). They will come in various forms, such as qn NPCs’ birthday and Ocean Day, to your own unique events. There’s always something fun happening in Town, so check your calendar often!

The special boxed version of Spirit of the Island – Paradise Edition will be available on 23rd November for PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch. For more information, please visit www.meridiem-games.com

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About Meridiem Games

Meridiem Games is an independent video game publisher and distributor for all platforms. The entire Meridiem Games team is focused on meeting the demand of players who are fond of physical editions, titles such as Fahrenheit 15Th Anniversary PS4, KUNAI Day One Edition NSW, Daymare: 1998 Black Edition PS4, Pang Adventures Buster Edition PS4 / NSW, etc. They have come out in their physical edition thanks to Meridiem Games.

About META Publishing

Is a brand-new video game label. We not only publish games but create unique relations between the game and the players. We love games, and we care about developer needs. With decades of experience working on Witcher 3, Divinity: Original Sin, and GTA V, we have all the necessary resources to make your game prominent. Our goal is simple – we let your games shine.

About PID Games

PID Games is a publishing label created by Plug In Digital. We provide tailor-made publishing support for all platforms, from Gravity Circuit to Paper Beast, including Pompom, Alba: a wildlife adventure, Skabma – Snowfall.

The epic return of Conrad B. Hart in a new adventure against the Morphs

Sydney, Australia, October 10^th, 2023 – Publisher Microids, studios Microids Lyon/Paris and Paul Cuisset are delighted to unveil the much anticipated story trailer for Flashback 2, a thrilling adventure bringing the legendary Flashback franchise back to life in all its glory.

Watch the new trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQeJIt_zXsU

In the heart of a dystopian future, the game’s hero, Conrad B. Hart, must confront the fearsome Morphs who aim to enslave all life in the solar system. To prevent them from carrying out their diabolical plan, players will need to deploy all their skills in a fast-paced platform shooter, which offers striking fluidity and precision.

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About Flashback 2:

In the 22^nd century, the United Worlds extends throughout the Solar System, but this tranquillity is threatened by the Morph invasion led by the fearsome General Lazarus. In search of his lifelong friend Ian, Conrad B. Hart dives once again into an action-packed adventure full of twists, turns and revelations with the help of his allies and AI-powered weapon A.I.S.H.A.

Game features:

• A vibrant sci-fi/cyberpunk universe full of immersive environments including New Tokyo, New Washington, and the Jungles of Titan.
• Use A.I.S.H.A., a lethal adaptive weapon enhanced with combat AI.
• A gripping, fluid and intricate platform shooter.
• A 3D environment crafted for even deeper immersion.
• Designed and developed by the creator of the original, Paul Cuisset.

Flashback 2 will be available digitally November 16^th, 2023 for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC and Nintendo Switch. PlayStation 5, Xbox and Nintendo Switch retail versions will be available on November 30^th.

For more behind-the-scenes information about Flashback 2, follow its new Twitter account: https://twitter.com/FlashBack2_Game

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About Microids

Microids is a French video game publisher. Founded in 1985, Microids’ editorial strategy now focuses on 4 major areas: adventure games, racing games, retro gaming and games inspired by iconic titles. By collaborating with renowned studios and authors (Revolution Software, Sloclap, Oddworld Inhabitants, Pendulo Studios, Eden Studios, Go Nagai, Charles Cecil, Benoît Sokal, Paul Cuisset…), Microids has become a major player in international video games. Taking inspiration from legendary titles, Microids reaches a wide audience and creates original adventures which give gamers the chance to play as some of their most beloved characters.

About Paul Cuisset

Known worldwide for his video game productions, Paul Cuisset is one of the most prolific French video game creators. Co-Founder of the company Delphine Software, he has worked as a programmer, game designer and/or scenarist on titles as prestigious as “Future Wars”, “Operation Stealth”, “Cruise for a Corpse”, “Moto Racer” and “Darkstone”. In 1992, his Action/Adventure masterpiece “Flashback” made the Guinness Book as the worldwide bestselling French video game. In 2005 Paul Cuisset founded the studio VectorCell and developed “Amy” (PS3, Xbox 360) and the HD remake of “Flashback” (PS3, Xbox 360, PC). In 2015, Paul Cuisset released the adventure game “Subject 13” on PC/Mac, PS4, Xbox One.

© 2023 Microids SA. All rights reserved. Game created by Paul Cuisset. Developed by MICROIDS STUDIO LYON / MICROIDS STUDIO PARIS. FLASH BACK is a trademark of Paul Cuisset and is used under licence. All rights reserved.

Plus More Demos For Upcoming Devolver Digital Games

The latest Steam Next Fest has begun and Devolver Digital have demos featured in the festival for The Talos Principle 2 and KarmaZoo! 

The Talos Principle 2 is a thought-provoking first-person puzzle experience that greatly expands on the first game’s philosophical themes and stunning environments with increasingly mind-bending challenges. The Talos Principle 2, will be ready to blow your mind with puzzles and philosophy when it launches on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X on November 2.

KarmaZoo is a joyful, altruistic, cooperative platformer where up to 10 random players help each other with the unique abilities of 50 different characters, all for the sake of good Karma. This is the first time KarmaZoo will be publicly playable in its fully cooperative mode, ahead of its launch on PS5, Xbox Series S|X, PC and Nintendo Switch on November 14.

Devolver Digital also have demos available on Steam for several of their other upcoming games, including for Wizard with a Gun, Anger Foot and Stick It to the Stick Man.

Bandai Namco Europe and Supermassive Games are proud to announce today the release of The Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope on Nintendo Switch.

Abandoned and all alone, four college students and their teacher become stranded in an isolated town miles from anywhere after their bus crashes in bad weather.

Trapped by a mysterious fog in the town of Little Hope, they search desperately for a means of escape while visions from the past haunt them from the shadows.

Through these mysterious visions, they bear witness to the town’s gruesome past and the terrible events of the Andover Witch Trials. They must figure out the motivation of these apparitions and escape Little Hope.

As in every game from The Dark Pictures Anthology, players can enjoy the story alone, online with a friend, or leave their fate in the hands of four other friends in the offline Movie Night mode. They will have to choose their party wisely and keep an eye out for hints, as each decision matters and will decide who lives and who dies.

Gather your courage to watch the trailer for The Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope:

The Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope is now available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and PC.

The Dark Pictures Anthology is a series of standalone, branching cinematic horror games, designed to present a new terrifying experience on a regular basis. Each game is standalone and features a brand-new story, setting, and cast of characters.

For more information on the Dark Pictures Anthology, please visit our website at https://www.thedarkpictures.com or follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/gaming/TheDarkPictures. Join the conversation on Twitter at https://twitter.com/TheDarkPictures.

For more about titles from Bandai Namco Europe please visit: https://www.bandainamcoent.eu, or follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BandaiNamcoEU. Join the conversation on Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/BandaiNamcoEU.

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About Bandai Namco Europe S.A.S.

Bandai Namco Europe S.A.S. is a leading global publisher and developer of entertainment content for platforms including, but not limited to, all major video game consoles and PC.

Bandai Namco Europe is producing intellectual property for a global audience and is building its reputation with franchises such as LITTLE NIGHTMARES™, PARK BEYOND™, and the upcoming UNKNOWN 9™ Awakening – developed by the recently acquired Reflector Entertainment based in Montreal, QC.

Bandai Namco Europe serves as the Headquarters of Bandai Namco Holdings Inc. for mainland Europe, which is known for creating and publishing many of the Toy & Entertainment industry’s top franchises, including PAC-MAN™, TAMAGOTCHI™, GUNDAM™, TEKKEN™, DARK SOULS™ and the recently released ELDEN RING™.

For more information please visit www.bandainamcoent.eu.

About Supermassive Games

Supermassive Games is a BAFTA-winning independent game developer with a reputation for innovation in both storytelling and VR. The studio has released a number of successful titles and is best known for the critically acclaimed PS4 hit Until Dawn.

On 12th of October 2023 we’ll see a PC release of Tribe: Primitive Builder. This Unreal Engine 5.1 open world game sets out to combine elements of builders, city management, exploration and survival. There are a lot of challenges waiting in Tribe: Primitive Builder’s world of primal mysticism. The developers plan to also release the game on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S platforms in the nearby future.

Tribe: Primitive Builder was made through the teamwork of three Polish developers: Space Boat Studios, Polyslash S.A. and Baked Games S.A. The PC version is published by PlayWay S.A.

Tribe: Primitive Builder is an open world title that focuses on a single player experience, as the game is a mixture of several genres – while mainly a first person builder, the game focuses on managing and expanding a village. You’ll also find that there’s plenty of mechanics around exploration, survival, hunting and crafting.

Tribe: Primitive Builder – Steam Release Trailer:

Tribe: Primitive Builder (Steam):

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1059900/Tribe_Primitive_Builder/

The gamers will get to play as the titular builder, who was sentenced to the Isle of the Banished, a place where different tribes live in the shadow of an ever burning volcano. As the developers suggest, the story mode will be based on intriguing visions which emphasize the world of primal mysticism.

“In Tribe: Primitive Builder we offer a portal into an unknown world. The island has a paradise feeling to it, but it is filled with exciting secrets. The main gameplay loop centers on building and management of villages, which thanks to player’s creativity can become full micro-scale civilizations. If you plan out and divide the work between your tribesmen, your village has a chance to become a self-sustainable little city. As you progress through the story, you might even get a chance to create trade routes between different tribes. We wanted to give the players a lot of freedom and autonomy. So you’ll also be able to focus on gathering resources, hunting and discovering the secrets of this wild island” – said the CEO of Polyslash S.A., Mateusz Cholewa.

The Isle of the Banished has 4 distinct biomes. Each of these regions is a home of a different tribe. The player will get an arsenal of tools to play around with (a knife, an axe, a spear and a pickaxe to name a few). While expanding the villages, there are 17 different types of buildings and 8 unique structures available in the story’s main missions. The progression is based on performing special rituals, which add up to a total of 28.

“Tribe: Primitive Builder is a unique blend of genres, which we’ve set in a fascinating world. The proper use of Unreal Engine 5.1’s abilities has allowed us to present the best possible version of the Isle of the Banished as well as the diversity of its wilderness. The exciting feeling of a new world just waiting to be discovered is amplified by an original soundtrack, which is inspired by ancient cultures and naturally becomes a part of the events happening in the game” – adds Mateusz Cholewa.

The developers estimate that the main story will take at least 30-35 hours to beat on average. Though exploring all the secrets of the island and fully developing each tribe will most likely take over 100 hours.

Tribe: Primitive Builder – main features:

• an open world set in a primal wilderness;
• building and management;
• 4 different tribes;
• survival and crafting;
• possibly over 100 hours of playtime;
• an original soundtrack;
• Unreal Engine 5.1.

The PC release date (Steam) is slated for the 12^th of October 2023. There are plans to bring the game to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles, though the exact release dates for these are not yet announced.

New report outlines the social, mental and emotional benefits of gameplay according to academic research and affirmed by survey of nearly 13,000 active players across 12 countries.

10 October 2023 – The Entertainment Software Association (ESA), in partnership with the Interactive Games and Entertainment Association (IGEA) and video game trade associations in Canada, Europe and South Korea, today released the first-ever Power of Play report. The report highlights the findings from peer-reviewed academic research about the positive effects of gameplay, which are confirmed by a survey of 12,847 active (weekly) players (ages 16 and older) in 12 countries: Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Poland, South Korea, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States. The survey revealed that in addition to entertainment, video games provide players with a number of social and emotional benefits that are shared on a global level. 

Having fun is the top reason people play video games (69% of global players), but they also play for a variety of other reasons including to keep their minds sharp (36%), and because playing games offers the ability to explore new worlds and ideas (27%). Nearly a quarter of respondents (24%) globally say they play video games to manage and/or improve their mental health. In all 12 countries, 71% of respondents said playing video games helps them feel less stressed. In Australia, 73% of respondents said the same, pointing out that video games also help them feel less anxious (67%) and less isolated/lonely by connecting them to others (57%).

“The Power of Play report affirms on a global scale what we already knew here in Australia; video games have a positive impact on everyday people, and people play video games daily,” said Ron Curry, CEO of IGEA. “IGEA is proud to be a part of this world-first report, combining the findings from a survey of almost 13,000 players across 12 countries alongside academic and peer-reviewed research papers. It comes as no surprise that the global video game community believes not only that video games are fun, but playing them helps us feel less anxious, less isolated, and less stressed.”

More than half (52%) of global players say video games helped them get through difficult times in their lives, with that number increasing to 62% for Australian respondents. Players agree that video games provide other mental health benefits: 

• About 75% of global players believe video games provide mental stimulation and stress relief. 
• Nearly two-thirds also find that video games provide them with a healthy outlet from everyday challenges (64%) and help them feel happier (63%).

Crossing geographic borders, video games also provide a platform for community building where otherwise not physically possible: 

• More than half of global respondents (51%) say they play games with other people online and 38% play with other people in person weekly, with 68% across all markets rating their experience of playing with others – both online and in person – as positive or extremely positive.
• More than two-thirds (67%) of global players agree video games introduce people to new friends and new relationships. Nearly half (42%) of global players have met a good friend, spouse or significant other through video games.
• More than three-quarters (77%) of global players agree video games bring different types of people together and nearly two-thirds (60%) say video games create a feeling of community. 

People are not only skilled game players, but they also say they have gained valuable life skills applicable outside of the virtual world of video games: 

• Nearly three-quarters of global players (73%) agree video games can improve creativity.
• Across the world, 69% of players agree video games build problem-solving, cognitive, teamwork, and collaboration skills. 
• Video games also promote adaptability and communications skills with 65% and 60% of global players agreeing, respectively.

You can find the full Power of Play report here.

About IGEA

IGEA (Interactive Games & Entertainment Association) is the peak industry association representing the voice of Australian and New Zealand companies in the computer and video games industry.  IGEA supports the games industry’s business and public policy interests through advocacy, research and education programs. For more information, please visit www.igea.net

About the ESA

The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) serves as the voice and advocate for the U.S. video game industry. Its members are the innovators, creators, publishers and business leaders that are reimagining entertainment and transforming how we interact, learn, connect and play. The ESA works to expand and protect the dynamic marketplace for video games through innovative and engaging initiatives that showcase the positive impact of video games on people, culture and the economy. For more information, visit the ESA’s website or follow the ESA on Twitter @theESA.

About the Power of Play Report Methodology 

AudienceNet conducted an interactive online survey of 12,847 respondents in 12 countries. In each country, respondents were recruited via a screening survey sent out in accordance with quota samples that were statistically and demographically representative of the respective 16 year+ online populations. The screening questions ensured that, in each country, there was a final sample of 1,000+ active gamers, all of whom played video games for at least an hour per week. All survey respondents were accessed through professionally accredited consumer research panels.

Players can play up to 5 hours for free!

Sydney, Australia – October 10, 2023 – Today, Ubisoft announced that the Free Trial of The Crew™ Motorfest is coming back for PlayStation, Xbox and PC players from October 10 to 20. After the tremendous support and positive reception from the community, making Motorfest the highest rated entry in The Crew franchise, players that want to try out the game but could not do so at launch will now be able to freely play up to 5 hours*, with the possibility to carry over their progress should they decide to buy The Crew Motorfest.

*Players who already completed the Free Trial in September will not be able to take part in this new session. However, players who had remaining free access time will still be able to complete it.

• UBISOFT STORE (PC) – Free Trial starting on October 10 from midnight (following 3 regional time zones*) and ending on October 21, 1 AM AEDT. Special discount from October 10 to 24 (-20% on Standard Edition, -15% on Gold and Ultimate editions).
• PLAYSTATION 4 & PLAYSTATION 5 – Free Trial starting on October 10 from midnight (local time) and ending on October 21, 1 AM AEDT. Special discount from October 11 to 18 (-20% on Standard Edition, -15% on Gold and Ultimate editions).
• XBOX SERIES X|S & XBOX ONE – Free Trial starting on October 10 from midnight (local time) and ending on October 21, 1 AM AEDT. Deal of the week from October 13 to 16 on Xbox One (-20% on Standard Edition).
• EPIC GAMES STORE (PC) – Free Trial starting on October 10 from midnight (3 regional time zones*) and ending on October 21, 1 AM AEDT. Special discount from October 14 to 21 (-20% on Standard Edition).
• Amazon Luna is not included in this offer.

With this Free Trial, players will get to explore the vibrant open world of the island of O’ahu in Hawaii and discover Motorfest, the all-year-round festival for all car enthusiasts. They will discover new outlooks on car culture through a selection of thematic campaigns, intense driving races and various competitive live events. With hundreds of iconic cars to collect, from the past, present and future, they will have plenty of opportunities to show off their skills and style as they rise to become one of the festival’s Legends. On their own or with their crew, opportunities for fun and challenges are limitless! Plus, since the original release of The Crew Motorfest, new cars and new races have already been added as part of Season 1.

*: Players on PC can enter this Free Trial at a different time depending on their region.
APAC (Asia / Australia) countries: midnight (Sydney time) or Oct 9, 13:00 UTC
EMEA (Europe and MENA) countries: midnight (Paris time) or Oct 9, 22:00 UTC
NCSA (Americas) countries: midnight (New York time) or Oct 10, 04:00 UTC

About The Crew™ Motorfest 

Developed by Ubisoft Ivory Tower, a studio based in Lyon, France, The Crew™ Motorfest lets players fulfill the driving bucket list of their dreams in one of the most exhilarating and vibrant open worlds ever created. Motorfest is a car-culture infused festival organized in one of the world’s most breathtaking locations: O‘ahu, one of the main islands of the Hawaiian archipelago. On their own or with friends, players can explore this galvanizing tropical playground behind the wheel of hundreds of the most legendary vehicles ever built. At every corner of the island, the festival offers infinite opportunities for pure fun, all forms of driving challenges, and invites them to explore incredible landscapes: from big city streets to volcano slopes, lush rainforests, idyllic beaches… They are free to follow the roads or forge their own path! 

About Ubisoft

Ubisoft is a creator of worlds, committed to enriching players’ lives with original and memorable entertainment experiences. Ubisoft’s global teams create and develop a deep and diverse portfolio of games, featuring brands such as Assassin’s Creed^®, Brawlhalla^®, For Honor^®, Far Cry^®, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon^®, Just Dance^®, Rabbids^®, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six^®, The Crew^® and Tom Clancy’s The Division^®. Through Ubisoft Connect, players can enjoy an ecosystem of services to enhance their gaming experience, get rewards and connect with friends across platforms. With Ubisoft+, the subscription service, they can access a growing catalog of more than 100 Ubisoft games and DLC. For the 2022–23 fiscal year, Ubisoft generated net bookings of €1.74 billion. To learn more, please visit: www.ubisoftgroup.com.

© 2023 Ubisoft Entertainment. All Rights Reserved. Ubisoft and the Ubisoft logo are registered trademarks in the US and/or other countries.

Will you be able to uncover the woodlands darkest secrets?

LONDON (October 10, 2023) – Square Enix Collective® has today announced a release date of October 31, 2023 for Little Goody Two Shoes™, a mysterious new fairytale anime adventure with a dark twist. The narrative-focused horror adventure game is developed by AstralShift, an independent game development team based in Portugal and dedicated to creating stunning cinematic and narrative games with immersive storylines and evoking soundtracks.

Set in the mysterious Kieferberg Village, Little Goody Two Shoes is stylistically inspired by PlayStation®, PlayStation®2 (PS2) RPGs, and 90s/00s anime. The game is centred around Elise, an ambitious lass determined to become rich and escape her humble life.

Be ready to step into Elise’s shoes and soon find yourself immersed in a ’90s inspired horror adventure game.

Little Goody Two Shoes will release on October 31, 2023 for Steam, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch™, and PlayStation®5 (PS5®).

About AstralShift
AstralShiftPro LDA is an independent video game software development company based in Portugal. Officially founded in 2022, AstralShiftPro’s story started in 2016 with the release of the popular RPG maker title Pocket Mirror. With video games as its medium, AstralShiftPro specializes in the production of narrative-driven and artistically ambitious titles, with the goal to create immersive and unforgettable experiences.

About Square Enix Ltd.

Square Enix Ltd. develops, publishes, distributes, and licenses SQUARE ENIX® and TAITO® branded entertainment content in Europe and other PAL territories as part of the Square Enix group of companies. The Square Enix group of companies boasts a valuable portfolio of intellectual property including FINAL FANTASY®, which has sold over 180 million units worldwide; DRAGON QUEST®, which has sold over 88 million units worldwide; and the legendary SPACE INVADERS®. Square Enix Ltd. is a London-based, wholly owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd.

More information on Square Enix Ltd. can be found at https://square-enix-games.com

SQUARE ENIX, SQUARE ENIX COLLECTIVE, the SQUARE ENIX COLLECTIVE logo and the SQUARE ENIX logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of the Square Enix group of companies.

STEAM is a registered trademark of Valve Corporation

©2023 Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC. “PlayStation Family Mark”, “PlayStation”, “PS5 logo”, “PS5”, “PS4 logo”, and “PS4” are registered trademarks or trademarks of Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc. 

NINTENDO SWITCH is a trademark of Nintendo.